Lactulose and Cramps: What Users Say

• CMa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 8, 2018

For Constipation, Chronic "Doctor prescribed 3x/day. It worked and still works wonderfully after 7 years. But, 3x/day was too much. I decided nightly before bed, and it works GREAT. Sometimes I have to take a double dose, but I'll tell you, this medicine is a dream come true for me as when I am not going (I have irritable bowel syndrome with constipation - IBS-C) I get sick as a dog: nausea, cramping, lightheaded, and more. Don't be afraid to experiment in the beginning to find the right dose and dosing schedule for you."

• Pud...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2019

Lactulose for Constipation, Chronic "I’ve been struggling to have a bowel motion for years. I am on a high dose of OxyContin and Oxycodone daily due to pancreatic cancer, so I have what they call opioid-induced constipation. I was going two weeks without having a bowel motion, then my doctor started me on Generlac, and it works wonderfully. I took 30ml for the first dose, and 24 hours later, I was on the toilet. I take 15ml daily to keep me going. No cramping or diarrhea... just a little gas."

• Anonymous
• March 14, 2018

For Constipation, Chronic "I’m 17 weeks pregnant and have been struggling even before I found out I was pregnant to empty my bowels. Before I fell pregnant, it was normal for me to poo once a week. I can’t even remember when I had my last bowel movement, it was over a week ago and very small. I rushed to the pharmacy today to get something as my stomach feels bloated and painful. I took 45 mls, and within half an hour, I started feeling sick, and an hour after that, I started cramping. Three hours later, I’m shooting to the toilet before I end up having an accident. What started off as a normal stool turned into explosive diarrhea. But I guess with 7+ days of waste in me, it was going to be a bit of a mess. So glad I took this, however, I wouldn't recommend taking it before work/going out, etc., as it can be unpredictable as to when it will take effect. Also, the wind is a bit embarrassing, so better to be in the comfort of your own home. I would recommend."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2016

For Constipation, Chronic "So I am 17 weeks pregnant and have been constipated very badly for about 8 weeks. Just took 20 ml of this stuff and literally within 10 minutes had a proper bowel movement. Caused a lot of cramping though, and now I have diarrhea. It also made me sick, but at least I have finally had a bowel movement! Fantastic stuff."

• Vol...
• November 12, 2015

For Constipation, Acute "Lactulose promotes a soft bowel movement without cramping, nausea, or Valsalva effects."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2018

For Constipation, Chronic "It doesn't work for relieving constipation and causes severe cramping. I suffer from IBS, and the medication did not work at all. I would not recommend it if you have any bowel disease."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2020

For Constipation, Chronic "Haha, I am so laughing. You guys are funny. So mine is chronic for almost a year, after it started in the third trimester of pregnancy. It's never been an issue my whole life, I'm almost 40. I have tried everything you can think of. It works and then just suddenly stops working. Which most of the stuff gives such bad cramps. So I thought to try lactulose. Well, it's been day 3 with 15 ml morning and 15 ml night. I went twice, which is so little, and feeling it's not enough. Earlier, I took 40 ml and the gas, it's just gas."

• Ecl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2021

For Constipation, Acute "This worked well for me and relatively quickly too. I took my first dose at 2 pm, and by 10 pm, I was all cleared out and more comfortable than I had been for days. The process was comparatively painless, though not without its frustrations; literally hours of sitting on a toilet while a very slow but unstoppable molten flow issued from me! Other than a bit of a crampy and gurgly tummy, I suffered no side effects either. Before this, I had tried Laxido and Dulcosoft, both of which made me vomit within an hour of taking and gave me acute abdominal cramps. The taste of lactulose is much more palatable as well - it is very sweet, though could be diluted in juice or water if this bothers you."

• lro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2022

For Constipation, Chronic "This works better for me than Miralax — which worked well but less consistently after taking it for a few years. I am underweight due to the GI issues making it hard to eat (110 lbs, 5 ft 6 in man), so I take a small dose, 10 mL RIGHT before bed to avoid any gas pain (which isn’t bad, I sleep on my left side to help it pass, gone by AM) and drink 4-8 oz of water with it. If I’m not well hydrated, I learned I will cramp, but that’s an easy fix. By the AM after coffee, I’m good to go. No diarrhea usually, just normal stool w/o pain. No bloating or nausea either. It leaves a coating in the throat, so I chase it with juice and then drink water. I’d recommend using a syringe and aiming it past the tongue if the taste bothers you. Initially, I was backed up, so I took 15 mL 2x/day and now maintain with up to 10 mL nightly, occasionally 15 mL nightly if I’ve had a lot of carbs or fibrous veggies. I’m now able to eat well and gain weight."

• Joy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 17, 2021

For Constipation, Chronic "I would never take this again. My naturopath prescribed it...so I figured it would be good. I got nausea, terrible abdominal cramps for hours! And I had trouble passing stools. And rectal pain and swelling! Stay away from this drug...side effects all next day!"

• Joh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2022

For Constipation, Chronic "Suddenly, over Christmas, I just couldn’t go, so I drank loads of water and waited a few days, but still nothing. My GF went to the pharmacy and brought back a huge bottle of lactulose. I took 15 ml cautiously and then another 15 ml 20 minutes later. Nothing much happened apart from gas until 6 pm, when I got cramps, but that was from more gas. After 6 pm, I took a further 20 ml and still had painful wind. I managed to pass a few tiny nuggets and then had to sleep on my side so I could pass wind all night. The next day, I still had similar pains. I drank a glass or two of water and had a banana for breakfast and decided to have another 30 ml in one go this time. I lay in bed sipping water and all of a sudden felt cold and feverish. Cold sweat ran down my face as I felt sick and had to run to the bathroom and vomit my guts up. My body didn’t seem to like the 30 ml I’d had. 30 minutes later, the biggest, stinkiest log was ejected from my soul, finally saved at last."

• eil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 24, 2021

For Constipation, Chronic "Terrible cramps all day after taking this stuff, it does work to relieve constipation but at the cost of severe wind and cramps for hours after!"

• Ott...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 29, 2021

"Earlier this evening, had 'severe cramps and bloating but no output into my colostomy bag.' I think it could be related to a Metro Egg Sandwich that I had earlier. Tried Divol Plus and 2 Extra Strength Tylenol and heating pad...nothing helped. Called Shoppers in Toronto, they suggested I take 1/2 capful of lactulose. It did the trick within 15 minutes, cleared me right out. Cramps dropped 80%. Came within seconds of calling 911, but I didn't, and I made it through. Remember, too much can cause serious diarrhea in the colostomy bag, so limit lactulose if you can. Take every 3 to 4 days. Not too much."

• Ind...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2021

For Constipation, Acute "I had been in hospitals, and I was able to go, but never much. Imaging showed a moderate amount of stool in me. The doctor ordered lactulose. The nurse said it would just make it easier for me to go. It was in a cup that looked like an oversized coffee creamer. I took it right before I went to OT. Less than an hour after, I started cramping. Before I could finish saying I needed to get to a bathroom, I was going. They took me to my room, and I got on the bedside commode. I wasn't able to get off of it for 1.5 hours. I always thought magnesium citrate was awful stuff. This was way more harsh for me. It was effective, but I was not expecting that much of an effect or for it to hit so soon. I would be afraid to take it again."

• Mo ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2022

For Constipation, Acute "Terrible abdominal cramps for hours, diarrhea as well."

• Lin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 20, 2022

For Constipation, Chronic "I've had issues with constipation on and off my entire life, may be the cause of my decades of migraines, actually. Once went an entire MONTH without going, can you even imagine that?! Got a high colonic (colon cleanse), and that flushed it all out! This time a doctor prescribed this lactulose stuff for me, thought I'd give it a try. Suggested 30 ml a day, three days later, NOTHING but gas! Today, the fourth day, I decided to up the dose! So I took TWO 30 ml doses, five hours apart, and BOOM! Had one BM, and I KNOW there's lots more still in there, very bad gas too. I am feeling a little crampy, so probably tomorrow I will continue a higher dose and will go again. Eventually, I will lower the dose back down and even see if I can quit altogether as laxatives become a crutch that you can't function without eventually. I don't take any other drugs, no pain meds, and I eat healthy and am healthy in every other aspect but the migraines and constipation, would LOVE to get rid of those!"

• Mol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 15, 2024

For Constipation "I’ve suffered with IBS my whole life, but since becoming pregnant, I find it extremely hard to pass my stools. I don’t use lactulose every day, but I do when I haven’t pooped in a few days. 30 mL of this stuff, and it makes me poop in 2-3 hours, which is very quick considering it says it takes 2 days to kick in. The bulk-forming laxatives have never helped me as it hurts too much to push out the hard poops when I’m pregnant, and it takes too long to have an effect. The stimulant laxatives are also a no-no as I have a very sensitive belly from years of IBS, and all it does is make me cramp up. So lactulose has been a lifesaver, and I recommend it to anyone."